Periodic switch



A. C. WRIGHT PERIODIC SWITCH Aug. l, 1933.

3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 4, 1951 Aug 1, 1933- A. c.'wR|GHT 1,920,229

PERIODIC SWITCH Filed Feb. 4, 1931 I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Atty/s.

Patented Aug. 1, 1933 UNITED sTATEs rATENr orricl:

Claims.

This invention relates to electric switches. The main objects of this invention are to provide an `improved periodic switch adapted to control a largenumber of electric circuits; to pro- 5 vide a periodic switch having improved means for controlling the time at which each circuit is opened and closed; and to provide a periodic electric switch of this kind which is compact and which is particularly adapted for use in connection with advertising display devices for controlling a bank of electric lamps.

Illustrative embodiments of this invention are shownV in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure v1 is an end elevation of an improved switch comprising 'two similar units connected. together.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of one of the units with the front plate of the casing removed; the view being taken from the right of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the same, with the rear plate removed.

Fig. 4 is an end elevation showing a simplied form of the switch,` taken from the left of Fig. 2, the end plate of the casing being removed.

A4Figs. 5 to 10 inclusive are enlarged views showing Various forms of contact members adapted to be used in the switch.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged vertical section of one of the units, taken on the line 11-11 of Fig. 2. 30 Fig.` 12 is an enlarged detail in perspective showing one of the conductors and certain other portions.

Fig. 13 is a diagram of the electric circuit employed in connecting two units together for controlling a bank of one hundred lamps.

Figs. 14 to 18 -inclusive are `fragmentary side elevations showing successive steps in the movements of the contact members.

In the form herein shown, the improved switch 40 comprises a rotatable actuator in combination with a plurality of hinged members adapted to be moved a predetermined distance by the actuator for closing the circuit. The' actuator and hinged members are preferably contacts in the 45 electric circuit. In order to accurately control the closing and opening of the circuit, adjustable means are provided for limiting the strokes of the hinged members.

The contact members are preferably arranged in units and, if desired, the switch may include several units for controlling a large number of circuits. In the construction illustrated, the switch includes two substantially identical units connected together for controlling one hundred 55 lamps A, as illustrated diagrammatically in Fig.

13. Each ofl the units illustrated comprises ten independent switches, but it is understood that any desired number may be employed.

The improvedl periodic switch` herein shown comprises a base l, on which is supported a motor 2, gear housing 3, and a pair of unit housings 4. f i

Each of the unit housings 4 includes 'a bottom plate 5, top plate 6, end Walls '7, a rear plate 8, horizontal shelf 9, and front platesl() and 1l.

` The top plate 6 is made of suitable insulating material because it supports binding posts 12 mounted on metal conductors 13, which are secured to the top 6 by rivets 14. The plates 10 and 11 are removable to permit access to the contacts.

Located in each of the housings 4, is a pair of substantially parallel horizontal shafts 15 and 16, which. are supported by the end walls '7. Each of the shafts 15 forms a terminal of the electric circuit. The ends of the shafts l5 project through the walls '7 and are rotatably mounted in bearings 1'7 and 18. The bearings 1'7 support binding posts` 19 for attachment to conductors 20. Y'

The two shafts 15 of the two units' are geared together by a train of gears as illustrated in Fig. 1. One of the shafts 'l5 has a gear 2l anda pinion 22. The pinion 22 is driven by the motor 2 and the gear 21 drives a gear 23 mounted on a stud 24, which also carries a pinion 25 meshing with a gear 26 on a stud 27. Also mounted on the stud 2'7, is a gear 28'which drives a'gear 29 mounted on the second shaft 15,. vAt least one of the gears should be made oi suitable linsulating material.Y

Supported on the terminal bars 15, is a-plurality of actuators which are rotatable into and out of engagement with contact members which are hinged on the bars 16. The actuators control 95 respectively different circuits, as illustrated in Fig. 13, and these actuators areadjustable angularly relative to one another so as to permit the different circuits to'be closed 'in succession.V

Various forms of 'actuators may be employed, as shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, and various forms of hinged contacts may be used, asshown in Figs. 5, 6 and '7.

In the form shown in Fig. 8, the actuator 'comprises a' contact arm 31 mounted on a block-32 having an opening 33 forreceivingthe terminal bar 15 and a threaded aperture 34 for receiving a set screw 35 by which the actuator may be secured in its adjusted position on'the bar 15.`

In the form shown in Fig. 9, the actuator comprises a sheet metal stamping which is provided with a base part 36 having openings 37 and 38,

Afor the terminal bar and set screw, respectively.

the hinged contact comprises a metal bar 44,

which is bent to form a collar 45 loosely embracing the sleeve 43, and a shoe which is adapted to ride on the rotatable actuator of thebar 15 dur-.`

ing a portion of the latters cycle. A reinforcing bar 46, is riveted to the upper face of the bar 44.

The inner ends 45 of the hinged contacts are in.

sulated from one another by insulator collars 47.1.' j

The outer ends of the hinged contacts ride between vertically disposed insulator guide bars 47, which are secured to the shelf 9 and top 6. Movement of the hinged contacts toward the rotatable actuators are limited by vertically disposed adjusting screws 48 extending upwardly through the shelf 9. strokes of the hinged contacts maybe varied for varying the period of contact between each hinged contact and its corresponding actuator.

The contact members shown in Figs. 5, 8 and 10, may be used for heavy-duty switches and in cases where accurate timing of the switches isV not essential.

Where accurate timing is necessary, the contacts shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 9 are employed.

In the form shown in Fig. 5, the contact shoe is segmental, as illustrated at V49.

In the forms shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the shoes are sector-shaped, as illustrated at 50 andl. The shoes 50 and 51 are complementary, so as to be vadapted to be used together in connection with the actuator shown in Fig. 9V tor permit accurate timing. For instance, the shoe 50 is adapted to engage the arm 40 of the-actuator and the shoe 51 is adapted to engage the arm 39k of the actuator. With this improved construction, there are two adjusting screws 48 for each independent circuit. One of the adjusting screws 48 of each circuit limits the downward movement of the shoe 50 for controlling the time at which the circuit is closed. The other adjusting screw of each circuit limits the downward movement of the shoe 51 for accurately controlling the time at which the circuit is opened. Y

The hinged contacts arenormally urged downwardly into the paths of the rotatable actuators by means of resilient conductors 52, which are connected to the rivets 14 and binding posts l2.

In the form shown, each of the conductors 52 has a pair ofV resilient lingers 53, which bear against two adjacent complementary hinged contacts, as shown in Figs. 11 and l2.

In operation, the shafts 15 are rotated continuously for rotating the actuators inthe direction indicated by the arrows in Figs. 14 to 18 inclu sive. The actuators are positioned so as to close the circuits successively. The hinged contacts are normally urged downwardly into the paths of theV rotatable actuators. by means of the conductors 52.

At a predetermined timein the cycle of each actuator, its contact arm 40 engages the lcorre-- sponding shoe 50 for closing the respective cir- By means of the jscrews 48 ythe.

cuit, ,as illustrates in Fig. 14. The time at which the arm 48 engages the shoe 50 is controlled by one of the adjusting screws 48.

At a predetermined time after the circuit has been closed by the members 40 and 5i), the arm 39 of the same circuit engages the corresponding shoe 5l, as illustrated in Fig. l5. During the next interval in the cycle or" the actuator, the arms 48 and 89 are `in contact with the shoes 58 and 51, respectively, as shown in Fig. 16.

When the arm 49 moves away from its corrospending shoe 50, the shoe 50 drops until it is 39 continues in contact with the corresponding shoe 5l, as shown in Fig. 17. The time at which the arm 39 becomes disengaged from its correspending shoe 51 depends upon the height of the respective adjusting screw 48. When the arm 44 of the shoe 5l engages the respective screw 43, it becomes disengaged *from the corresponding arm 39 and the circuit is again opened. 4 v

It will thus be apparent that with this improved construction,Y the switch may be accurata ly timed as to the closing and opening offeach circuit, independently of othercircuits. l l AAlthough but certain specific embodiments of this inventionv have been herein shown and described, it will be understood that certain details of the construction shown may be altered.; or omitted without departing from .the spirit of this invention as defined by the following claims. K.

I claim: Y l. A periodic switch comprising a bar forming an electric terminaLa plurality of contact-arms mounted on said bar, a plurality of independently movable contact members respectively urged into the paths of said arms so as to be moved thereby, separate meansfor clamping eachL of said contact members to saidr bar independently of the other contact members, Vsaid clamping means being operable independently of lonefanother so as tively urged into the paths of said armsso as to be moved thereby,Y and separate set screws mounted on said hubs for clamping said contact members to said bar, said set screws being operable independently of one another so as to `perwithout disturbingl the adjustmentof the other hubs, each of saidhubs having a bearing edge substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of its contact member.

3. A periodic electric switch comprising a rotatable actuator, a pair of movable members adapted to engage said actuator-seas to be thereby moved between predetermined limits, said actuator and pair of movable members being electrically connected in a single circuit, one of said movable members being arranged to engage said actuator in advance of the other movable member so as to control the closing of the circuit, Vsaid other movable member being disengaged from said actuator after the disengagement of said one member. so as to control the opening of the circuit, and adjustable means for limiting the strokes of said members independmit each of said hubs to be, turned on said rod ently of each other whereby the time of closing and opening the circuit may be controlled.v

4. A periodic switch comprising a rotatable actuator, a pair of contact members hinged so as to be movable into the path of said actuator, said actuator being adapted to move said members between predetermined limits, said actuator and pair of movable members being electrically conA nected in a single circuit, one of said movable members being arranged to engage said actua-V terminal, a pair of contact arms on said terminal, a pair of contact members hinged on an axis disposed substantially parallel to said terminal, said members being independently movable and. being normally urged into'the paths of said arms respectively, said arms being adapted to engage said members during a portion of vsaid terminals cycle, said pair of arms and pair of members being electrically connected togetherin a single circuit, one of said members being ar ranged to engage one of said arms in advance of the engagement of the other arm by the other member so as to control the closing of the circuit, said other member and arm being adapted to be disengaged after the disengagement of said first-mentioned member and arm so as to control the opening of vthe circuit, and adjustable st ops for independently limiting the movements of said members toward said arms whereby thev time of opening and closing the circuit may be varied.

ARTHUR C. WRIGHT.

v120Vl 

